In Woodville-Water rates, zoning changes on council agenda

The Woodville Planning Commission is recommending changes to the village zoning ordinance covering the definition of home offices and home-based businesses.

The commission’s recommended definition of a home office is: A secondary use of a residential dwelling for professional office activities. Typically the office use would be ancillary to business activity conducted elsewhere. Residences of accountants, architects, artists, authors, clergy, landscape architects, lawyers, professional engineers, professional land surveyors, real estate agents, teachers or similar professions are examples of such use where the office would not involve use of special equipment or vehicles. A zoning permit is not required for this property use.

For a home-based business, the commission’s recommended definition is: A secondary use of a residential dwelling for business activities that does not meet the definition of a home office. A home-based business is typically more intense than a home office and consists of a service-oriented commercial use that is still secondary to the residential use but may involve special equipment or vehicles. A conditional use permit is required for this property use.

Wind turbine section amendedThe planning commission has also recommended that section 1105.02(129) be amended to read as follows:

Small Wind Energy System means a wind energy conversion system which has a rated capacity approved by the Village Utilities Department Interconnect Agreement and which is intended primarily to reduce on-site consumption of utility power by the property owner. The system includes:

A. Tower not to exceed 60 feet high excluding turbine and blades, free standing, with no guy wires permitted. Access to climb the tower will be restricted by omission of climbing steps up to at least 10 feet or alternatively a minimum 6 foot high chain link fence around the tower is required.

B. Turbine including blades, generator and directional control tail if so-equipped, suitable for use by residences or businesses as applicable, in any zoning district.

C. Electrical controls for turbine energy control and safety.

As with the other proposed changes in the zoning ordinance, the entire proposal can be viewed at the village office in the town hall.

A public meeting on the proposals from the commission has been scheduled for July 13 at 6 p.m. in the town hall.

Water rate increase After an analysis by John Courtney, of Courtney & Associates, of revenue projections in the village's water fund, council is considering an increase of water rates by about 10 percent.

The current rates, which have not increased since 1987, are $11.35 for the first 2,000 gallons (residential), and $13.35 for the first 2,000 (non-residential). The proposed new rates are $12.50 (residential) and $14.70 (non-residential).

A second reading of the ordinance to raise the rates was set for June 22.

If adopted, the higher rates and charges would become effective Aug. 1.